In Line With Directives to Promote Green Development, Ministry of International Cooperation Launches “NWFE Program” Addressing Water, Food & Energy
“NWFE Program” aims to attract development financing and investments for progress in water, food, and energy sectors.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat: “This is the first meeting in a series of strategic dialogues to present and promote green development projects within the NWFE Program, ahead of COP27.”
The NWFE Program reflects the Government of Egypt’s commitment in going from pledges to implementation, opening the door to increased talks with development partners to attract investments and development funds, along with private sector engagement.
H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad: “The interconnection of projects between energy, food and water, poses opportunities to enhance the basic needs for Egyptian citizens.”
Development partners and international financial institutions affirmed their support for the Government of Egypt’s green transition priorities.
The Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat announced the launch of the NWFE Program, aiming to finance projects that are integrated between water, food and energy, in line with both the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050 and Egypt’s 2030 Vision.
This comes within the Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) with the Development Partners Groups (DPG), held in partnership between the Ministry of International Cooperation and the United Nations office in Egypt, under the title “Climate Change: Strengthening Partnerships & Strategic Dialogue on Equitable & Sustainable Climate Finance”.
The event included over 155 representatives from national entities and development partners including, UN Resident Coordinator Elena Panova; Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Heike Harmgart; the European Investment Bank’s representative in Egypt, Alfredo Abad, and many other representatives from development partners including the USAID, embassies, and national stakeholders.
The MSP discussed the list of prepared projects covering the aforementioned sectors, in light of Egypt’s COP27 Presidency, also aiming to move pledges to implementation by stimulating innovative financing mechanisms.
In her speech, Al-Mashat explained that the NWFE Program is the mechanism, through which the Ministry will promote a list of green development projects in water, food and energy, all aligned with the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050. H.E. added that the Ministry was keen on holding an MSP for the DPG, headed by the UN and the German Embassy this year, to present these projects to all development partners and to discuss innovative financing mechanisms and increased private sector participation.
Al-Mashat also noted that the Ministry of International Cooperation, in terms of adaptation and mitigation, has a portfolio of over $11 billion, addressing the country’s commitment to a green transformation, advancing comprehensive and sustainable recovery through cooperation.
In this first meeting on the NWFE Program, relevant entities aimed to discuss financing and investment in the list of green development projects, including all means of technical support and exchanging expertise and necessary technology for project implementation.
The Minister of Environment H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad also confirmed the ministry’s cooperation with all relevant entities, in line with the national climate strategy. Fouad also commended the role of the development partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme, partners from the United States, and the European Union, in providing technical and advisory support in preparation of the national 2050 climate strategy and its projects; including mitigation of carbon emissions, adaptation, climate governance, infrastructure, and greening budgets, among other aspects.
Fouad also pointed out the role of citizens in addressing climate change, which prompted the Government of Egypt to launch the first national climate dialogue in April, thus raising awareness among the society. H.E. elaborated that the second version of the dialogue will be in August. The Minister of Environment shared that what the world is witnessing in terms of energy and food crises, and rising prices, led the Government of Egypt to place a top priority on climate projects. By linking energy, water and food, this integration provides basic needs for Egyptian citizens, while also working towards the Paris Agreement goals.
During the meeting, UN Resident Coordinator Elena Panova and head of the DPG, said that the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050 is an example of necessary efforts to achieve sustainable development, and promote climate action, showing the links between development and climate. This sentiment was reiterated by the Head of German Development Cooperation in Egypt and Co-Chair of the DPG, Uwe Gehlen who applauded the NWFE Program, and stressed that by merging the MSP and DPG, there is a clearer aim to push towards implementation of climate pledges.
The Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Heike Harmgart also shared the bank’s readiness in supporting the NWFE Program, explaining that they look forward to strengthening work with the private sector and government, especially in terms of green hydrogen.
Also in line with climate, the Ministry of International Cooperation Chaired a Session on Talks with the World Bank for the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR)
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat: The CCDR is one of the key pillars of Egypt’s partnership with the World Bank Group.
The report monitors the interrelationship between climate and development in the sectors of water, agriculture, energy, transport, industry and resilient coastal cities.
The Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, chaired a session on the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), organized jointly with the Ministry of Environment, along with the World Bank Group (WBG), and relevant entities including: Ministries of Planning and Economic Development, Electricity and Renewable Energy, Transportation, Agriculture, Land Reclamation, Housing and Utilities, Water Resources and Irrigation, Finance, Local Development, Trade and Industry, Petroleum, Health and Population, Education and Technical education, and Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The discussion looked into national comments on the CCDR’s initial draft for Egypt. During the meeting, the WBG officials gave a presentation on the prepared work, in coordination with national entities, and the Ministry of International Cooperation, the Ministry of Environment, and the WBG team; reflecting the relationship between Egypt and the bank in climate efforts and the state’s commitment to a green transition.
The CCDR for Egypt reviews how climate change affects development efforts and the SDGs. It also takes into account the steps and measures taken by the state in various fields to enhance green transformation efforts, while also combating climate change and monitoring the country’s economic resilience
For her part, Al-Mashat stressed the importance of the CCDR for Egypt, as it comes at a vital time in preparation for the COP27, and also while the country is taking successive steps in supporting the green transformation. The Minister elaborated that the CCDR aims to assess the risks of climate change, and identify opportunities for mitigation and adaptation actions, with a focus on water and agriculture, energy and industry, and resilient cities and coastal economies. It also represents a new pillar of the development cooperation between Egypt and the bank, while working to enhance implementation of the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050
Development Across Sectors: Minister of International Cooperation Announces Parliament’s Approval of 6 Agreements
The Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat announced the Parliament’s approval of 6 agreements, pertaining to education, technology, the Alexandria metro, and the railway link between Egypt and Sudan.
The parliament approved Presidential Decree No. 201 of 2022 to grant the assistance agreement between Egypt and the United States of America, regarding Egyptian-American cooperation in science and technology, signed in Cairo on September 29, 2021. The parliament also approved the Presidential Decree No. 202 of 2022 on the assistance agreement between both of the aforementioned parties, regarding higher education, signed on September 29, 2021. Moreover with the same parties, they also approved the Presidential Decree No. 205 of 2022 on basic education.
Commenting on these agreements, Al-Mashat said that the 6th amendment of the grant assistance agreement between Egypt and the USA includes $4 million in grants added to the $32 million with the USAID, to continue implementing the U.S. - Egypt Science and Technology (S&T) Joint Fund, the research planning and development grants, and the integrated science grants. Additionally, $31 million from the USAID was added to support the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative, through partnerships between Egypt and the US in higher education and in scholarships. Lastly, $17 million was added to the basic education initiative, bringing the total amount of USAID’s contribution to $124 million. This includes STEM Schools, adult literacy programs, professional development and qualification of teachers, and the Egyptian-American Learning Program.
In terms of transport, the Parliament approved the Presidential Decree No. 226 of 2022 on technical cooperation grant with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support the Alexandria-Abou Qir metro project, with €600 thousand.
The Parliament also approved the Presidential Decree No. 227 of 2022 regarding the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in the technical and economic feasibility study of the railway project between Egypt and Sudan.
Moreover, the Parliament approved the Presidential Decree No. 192 of 2022 in regards to the exchange of letters between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Korea, and the provision of a grant that is not more than $7 million and 900 thousand to support the Egyptian Government Procurement System.